Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-16
BAD JOSEPH C. KNIGHT
PROVES FAiThLESS TO THE TRUST
 REPOSED IN HIM.
Arrested for Peculations Covering Period of Twenty-four Years - The Prisoner Acknowledges His GuiIt-His Seedlings Claimed to be S65, ,OOO.

ava
 of Twenty-four Years s- The Prisoner
 Acknowledges His Guilt-His Seedlings
 Claimed to be S65, ,OOO.
 PHILADELPHIA, Dec 16 - Joseph c. keeper Tn the Manufacturers' National bank in this city for the past thirty-sx years, was committed to jail yesterday afternoon by United States Commissioner E1munds, in default of $35, 900. on the charge of embez- zling $65, ,OOO of the bank funds
 Rumors had been flying about for some days past limiting at great bank dedication, but things were kept so quiet that it was not until yesterday that anything definite was known about the case, and then it was to the effect that a prominent official of one of the downtown banks had been locked up.
 It appears that officers, armed with war rant from United State Commissioner Ed munds. arrested Knight at the corner of Third and Chestnut streets early in the afternoon, and he was at once taken to the office of the United States attorney and held, pending the arrival of the commis- sioner, who had been hurriedly sent for It appears that he had been under surveillance by Pinkerton's agency since the 10th inst, tEe day after the defalcations were discov- cred. About 4:30 the commissioner made his appearance, and then an official made the announcement that there would be further delay at the request of the defendant, who wanted to communicate with his friends.
 When ths case was finally called John W. Mofl1y, president of the Manufacturers Ma tional bank, testified that he first discovered that there was something wrong on the 9th of this month by incorrect figures in the trial balance, which showed two errors of sl0,00O each. MT. Moffly spoke to the de- fendant about it and he said it was an error and he would have it corrected. Next day Knight did not come to the bank, so he went for him, and then he came, and he again asked him what these discrepancies meant in his trial balance sheet. Knight re- pliel that he had been doing wron: for many years; that he commenced the peculation far back as 1864, and had been taking money from time to time during the last few years. MT. Moff1y then explained that the money was taken by the prisoner direct from depositors. When line was formed there were often people who were pressed for time and who did not want to wait, when they would ask MT. Knight to take it for them; this he would do, and entered it carefully on the ledger, but would not report it to the teller Knight could not tell exactly how much he had taken in all. The witness told him that his books showed that he had taken $64, 900. He said he thought it was about that. On going carefully over the accounts the bank officials find the amount about correct. The defend. ant had given bond for s5.OO0. This closed the testimony.
 Knight was bookkeeper of the Manufac- turers bank for thirty-five years, and had always been considered a trustworthy man. He is large sized man, with almost snow white hair and gray beard. He appears to be about 60 years of age.